Willie Alfonso was a former homeless, illiterate drug addict from Brooklyn found religion, turned his life around and today is the team chaplain for the New Jersey Nets and the New York Yankees.

For years he rejected religion and a pastor who had befriended him. When he finally got so low he didn't have any hope he confided in the pastor and turned his life around.

Alonzo Mourning, an NBA allstar credits Willie as a big factor in the revival of his his religious faith. Mourning, who was struck down by kidney disease, was visited by Willie in the hospital after his transplant. Their conversation is described in in Mourning's book, "Resilience: Faith, Focus and Triumph".

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last updated 3 May 2010